Springtime is not only a chance to take the adults and yearlings on some fun runs before the trails disappear; it also means we get to run the puppies for the first time!

We took them out in small groups and we rotated a bunch of adults in the front of the team including Chica, Olivia, Woody, Nutmeg, Viper, Scruggs, Chemo and Lester. We decided to run the puppies in our regular half-harnesses and without necklines to give them a chance to show their stuff!

Scooby and Rodney were the first to run and it took them only to the end of the driveway to get the hang of it. They are the two biggest puppies and they quickly looked like they knew what they were doing. They both pulled hard for the entire two mile run.


Scooby (closest to sled) and Rodney (next one up) “giving it heaps”; Five and Ernie (closest to sled) getting some encouragement from Aliy: “This direction boys”

Ernie and Five were next to go and Ernie almost resembled a gazelle “pronking” by taking huge leaps on all four feet (google “pronking” if you don’t know what I mean) and Five had a little trouble at first deciding which way he should be facing. After a few quick stops and lots of positive encouragement by Aliy they figured it out and were pulling hard and straight by the end.

Apologies but we didn’t manage to get any footage of Ginger, she didn’t get to run today. She’s a gentler girl than her boisterous brothers and she is a great looking, well put-together dog. We’ll try to get some next time.

It never ceases to amaze and excite us the inherent desire in the puppies to run and pull. If anyone ever asks “how do you MAKE them pull?” they have obviously never seen a husky puppy in harness for the first time. You can’t MAKE them pull, they just DO!

23 Responses

  • Thank you. I was missing seeing the dogs run and decided to check on this site today. I got my fix.

  • Thanks for making my day.
    Spring puppy runs are one of my favorite things.

    You're snow looks great still,
    and the five puppies…
    FANTASTIC!

    The next few years will be so exciting for SPK!

    Keep having fun with those amazing SPK dawgs.
    Good Dawgs!

  • Thanks for posting this….always nice to see the pups first experience in harness….they looked awesome!! It's also nice to know Olivia is back out on the trail!! I was wondering how her recuperation was going…must be back to 100%!!!

  • OMG!!! Those 'puppies' are enormous!!! And, totally beautiful and healthy and strong, AND, I love their names ❤️💖💙❤️💜💛💖💙
    How do you guys do it??? You breed and raise the best dogs in the whole World!!!
    How's Miss Quito??? She is the Queen of the SPK pups!!!
    Thank you for this wonderful post❤️💖💙🐾🐾🐾😃😄😊

  • MEG?! Go show them yahoo's how to run Nutmeg! Thanks for the update on the kennel. I am missing being there in AK something fierce. Good Dawg's!
    Padee Santa Rosa Ca

  • Can't wait to see "my" fave Ginger pulling too but these five are all
    so very special. I call them the Survivors and I feel they will carry that courage and determination into their adult lives and racing careers! Love, love, love them all five.

  • Just curious, Nutmeg is mentioned as running with the pups here and she's the mama of two yearlings but not shown in the SPKennel dog photos. I am sure there is a reason?? Inquiring minds would like to know if anyone can enlighten me! TIA.

  • Gaye Morgan-Walton
    scroll down the Dog Log page until you find
    SEARCH THE DOG LOG
    type in Nutmeg, or what ever….
    Search.
    You will find you answers.
    SPK has set up their Dog Log Page with so many helpful tools.
    So much information here.
    No wonder they are so beloved!
    Enjoy

  • Awwww, they are running with the big dogs and having fun. They are sponges now learning from the older ones. Five was cute stumbling and getting back up, typical puppy move. Great video. Thanks!

  • What a special moment getting in this run and seeing them pulling. Way to go puppies!

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